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Who is the most best conga player or latin percussionist of all time?
By kevin | July 21, 2008
My recent informal poll on the greatest drummer of all time brought out some interesting answers - some respondents named great percussionists like Tito Puente and Alex Acuna in the list.. so I thought… why not have a new poll focussing on the greatest exponents of hand percussion and latin percussion that are around?
Please vote below, or if you’d like to nominate someone who isn’t on this list please leave a comment and I’ll add them.
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Topics: Bongo Drums, Conga Drums, Hand Drumming, Latin Percussion |
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 am
Airto Moreira is fantastic and very creative (check out his tribute to Miles Davis on “Electric Miles”), and I also like Manolo Badrena (Joe Zawinul always had great percussionists in his bands; Alec Acuna, Dom Um Romao, Mino Cinelu).Marilyn Mazur is pretty cool too.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
WHERE IS PATATO VALDEZ ,MONGO SANTAMARIA AND RAY BARRETO?tHEIR BODIES MAY HAVE PASSED ON BUT THEIR LEGACY NEVER DIES ..
November 30th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I think your poll reveals that you don’t really know that much about latin percussion or conga-players. And Marilyn Mazur is not a latin percussionist (she is incredibly talented, but what she does has nothing to do with latin perc.) Same applies to Trilok Gurtu.
All round “latin”percussionists top 3: Airto Moreira, Paulinho da Costa, Ralph McDonald
Conga Player top 5: Jorge “el Niño” Alfonso, Tata Guines, José Luis Quintana (Changuito), Patato Valdes, Mongo Santamaria
December 16th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Greetings percussionists.I agree with all the posts.It is extremly difficult if not impossible to speak of one of these percussionists mentioned and ignore the other because of the contribution each has made to the development of the artform.There are so many names not even mentioned.I deal with this by saluting them all and acknowledging their unique gifts which i am so honoured to be inspired by.There work is greater than any poll. BLESSINGS
December 20th, 2008 at 1:57 am
where on this list is Mongo?
December 20th, 2008 at 1:58 am
And where is Billy Cobham
December 20th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Sorry I see Billy. I vote for Mongo.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Not on your list, but has played with Pete Escovedo, goes
Nick Nardolillo. He owns a club in California.
Fastest hands I have ever seen. And his rhythm transitions are
smooth as silk.
JT
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:45 am
ray barreto is the undisputed king.
April 28th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
There are no ands ifs or buts. There was only one drummer that counted. One drummer said it all. One drummer. No school . No drum book. No teacher could figure out???? Because he played so complex that on one could figure out what he was playing or doing? Because no one repeat no one could come close to this man in ideas in speed in all around drumming. ???? Who was that man??? Buddy Rich. over said and done. Buddy Rich.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Not mentioned….but has played with the BEST artists is Tim “Timbali” Cornwell. He is the BEST EVER!!! If you don’t know him….you should!
May 4th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
What about Jose Rossy?
June 4th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
THE BEST ON THE CONGAS AND TIMBAL IS JOSE LUIS QUINTANA(CHANGUITO)